Redefining clinical response in psoriasis: targeting the pathological basis of disease

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that can have a major effect on patient quality of life. Conventional psoriasis treatments, often identified empirically, fail to meet the clinical needs for a safe and remittive therapy. These unmet needs, together with the rapid advances in understanding the molecular basis of psoriasis, have led to the development of targeted biologic therapies. Using recombinant DNA technology, a new generation of therapeutic agents is being designed to interfere at specific pathogenic steps that involve T-cells or T-cell-mediated immune responses. These targeted therapies promise improved tolerability and safety in the treatment of psoriasis. Furthermore, they will redefine clinical response in psoriasis by providing long-lasting remissions of disease and extended treatment-free periods.